Express Scripts Endorses "Know the Lowest Price Act of 2018" and "Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act"

ST. LOUIS, March 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Express Scripts (NASDAQ:ESRX) today released this statement in support of S. 2553, the "Know the Lowest Price Act of 2018," introduced by U.S. Senators Stabenow, Collins, Wyden, Cassidy, McCaskill and Barrasso, and S. 2554, the "Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act," introduced by U.S. Senators Collins, McCaskill, Barrasso, Stabenow and Cassidy.

Express Scripts is against clawbacks and gag clauses, anti-patient practices that have been used by other pharmacy benefit managers.

"Express Scripts has long supported the goals of S. 2553 and S. 2554, and we have worked with state lawmakers across the country to prohibit the anti-consumer practice of so-called "gag clauses." We applaud the Senators for leading on this important issue. Since we are already in compliance, we are prepared for an effective date of today.

"Drug makers want plan sponsors and patients to think that pharmacy benefit managers gain from this anti-consumer practice, which is clearly not the case. We encourage swift consideration of S. 2553 and S. 2554 so lawmakers can focus on the real issue – high drug prices set by manufacturers."

As part of its mission to put medicine within reach of patients, Express Scripts believes its members should pay the lowest cost possible, and be informed about the out of pocket cost of their medication in advance of filling a prescription. We provide members real-time pricing information, customized to their individual plans, via our website and mobile app.  Moreover, pharmacies in our retail network are not permitted to charge a member more for their copay under their benefit than the pharmacy's cash price. 

While there is never an instance where a pharmacist or pharmacy would need to tell an Express Scripts member about a lower cost by paying cash because the claim would process at the lower cost, we agree that so-called "gag clauses" are not in patients' best interest. Therefore, they are not part of our retail network agreements.

More information on this issue can be found at: http://lab.express-scripts.com/lab/insights/drug-options/keeping-copays-affordable

About Express Scripts
Express Scripts is leading the way for tens of millions of people by aligning with plan sponsors, taking bold action and delivering patient-centered care to make better health more affordable and accessible.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Express Scripts provides a full range of integrated pharmacy benefit management services, including home delivery pharmacy care, specialty pharmacy care and benefit management, benefit-design consultation, drug utilization review, formulary management and medical and drug data analysis, that guide patients and plans toward better health by prioritizing quality care at competitive rates. Our services drive down the cost of care for employer-funded, Medicare, Medicaid and Public Exchange plans. Express Scripts also distributes a full range of biopharmaceutical products and offers innovative medical benefit management services.

For more information, visit Lab.Express-Scripts.com or follow @ExpressScripts on Twitter.

Media Contact:
Jennifer Luddy
201.269.6402
Jennifer_Luddy@express-scritps.com

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SOURCE Express Scripts